Sauger

Body Type & Identification: Very similar to Walleye but with distinctive dark saddle-shaped blotches on the back and rows of spots on the first dorsal fin (Walleye has a clear spot at the base; Sauger's dorsal fin spots are distinctive). Smaller and more slender than Walleye. Brass to gray coloring. The most tolerant of turbid water of the two species — found in murkier, faster water than Walleye.

Preferred Water Temperature: 58°F–68°F. A cool-water species found in large, turbid rivers — more turbidity-tolerant than Walleye. Most active in low-light conditions — dawn, dusk, and night. Common in tailwaters below large dams in winter.

Habitat: Large rivers and reservoirs of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio drainages. Particularly common in the tailwaters of large dams in winter — concentrates below dams where current and cool water combine. Found in the Missouri River, Mississippi River, and Cumberland and Tennessee River tailwaters.

Best Lures: Jigs (1/4–1/2 oz) with small soft plastic bodies or minnow tails are the top producers — jigged near the bottom in current. Small blade baits jigged vertically are excellent in winter tailwaters. Small crankbaits trolled near the bottom work in reservoirs. Lindy Rigs with small minnows produce in rivers.

Best Baits: Small live minnows on jig heads are very effective. Live leeches work well. Nightcrawlers on a spinner rig produce in reservoirs. Small fatheads on a Lindy Rig catch fish in current. Tailwater fishing below major dams in winter (December–February) produces exceptional Sauger action.

Top 5 Destinations: Missouri River (below Garrison Dam) ND, Cumberland River TN (below Wolf Creek Dam), Mississippi River (upper), Ohio River, Lake of the Woods MN/Canada.